Types of Surgery for Acid Reflux

No matter how careful a person is with their lifestyle, they may still be suffering from acid reflux. It may be so severe that they aren’t able to get a good night of sleep. It can also come on during the day preventing a person from being able to complete ordinary tasks. As a result they may eat as little as possible to get through their day. That can result in malnourishment and even more health concerns.

Sometimes surgery is the only choice left to explore in order to combat acid reflux once and for all. Medical professionals won’t recommend it unless they have tried everything else without success. That is because there are risks involved with any type of surgery. They don’t want to place a patient under the knife unless it is the only alternative left for them to explore.

The two main types of surgery for acid reflux are fundoplication and radiofrequency. Fundoplication surgery for acid reflux has been around for a very long time. This procedure involves taking the upper part of the stomach and then sewing it to the bottom portion of the esophagus. A tunnel is made so that a portion of the esophagus can pass through to the stomach muscle.

As a result of the Fundoplication surgery a person will stop suffering from acid reflux. At the same time the valve from the esophagus to the stomach will get stronger. As a result the body is able to take care of the acid it produces naturally without it moving from the stomach to the esophagus. 

Depending on how severe the acid reflux is, the way in which the incision is made will vary. Generally an incision is made in the abdomen and a tube is placed into it. This process takes a couple of hours to complete. The patient will be able to make a full recovery within a week. 

For the more severe cases an incision has to be made in the chest area. Due to the risk of an infection most patients have to remain in the hospital for a week or two after it is done for observation. This procedure has to be done when the esophagus is inflamed due to the swelling.

Radiofrequency surgery is newer but many medical professionals are offering it. That is because this form of surgery for acid reflux is less invasive. In fact, patients can be released to go home the same day they have it rather than spending several days in the hospital. This process involves creating thermal lesions at the bottom of the esophagus and the top of the stomach. 

As a result there is less acid able to move from the stomach to the esophagus. This type of surgery also helps to strengthen a weak esophagus. This is accomplished by making the muscles in there thicker than before. As a result there is less pressure against the esophagus to open up. 

Since there is less of a risk with this form of acid reflux surgery, it is starting to be used for those that may be getting benefits from prescription medications. There can be side effects of those medications though that the patient doesn’t want to deal with on a regular basis. If they have to take medications for other types of medical concerns it can render them less effective as well. Therefore acid reflux surgery may be a good idea to allow them relieve and to ensure they can get the results from medications for their other health concerns. 

Individuals that have undergone surgery for acid reflux have to be committed to eating a well balanced diet afterwards. This includes limiting fatty foods, chocolate, and citrus fruits. The results from such surgery will vary as well. Some individuals never suffer from acid reflux again while others do on occasion. However, those that do continue to suffer from it find that they symptoms aren’t nearly as severe as they once were. 

Acid Reflux and Pregnancy

A woman’s body goes though a variety of changes during a pregnancy. While this is a very exciting time there are issues including acid reflux that can make it difficult to enjoy all aspects of it. There is an old wives tale that pregnant women with acid reflux means the child will be born with a full head of hair. However, the truth if it is that acid reflux is the result of changes in the body due to additional hormones.

These hormones can result in a woman producing more acid in her stomach. Since it isn’t uncommon for pregnant women to eat more than before they will continue to produce even more of it. The combination of them can result in some of the acid moving up into the esophagus. Up to ¼ of all pregnant women have to deal with acid reflux each day of their pregnancy. This can make it hard for them to focus on their daily routine or to get enough sleep at night.

As the pregnancy progresses there is more pressure on the stomach area. This too can result in more acid moving into the esophagus. That is why the majority of pregnant women find that they suffer from acid reflux during the last few months of it. Since what the woman consumes affects the baby there are limits on what can be taken. Most types of prescription medications for acid reflux won’t be a good idea.

It is possible to take antacids to treat mild cases of acid reflux during pregnancy. Extensive research has shown that they don’t harm the baby. Pregnant women do need to be careful though as they contain large amounts of sodium. This can result in fluids being retained and swelling in the legs and ankles. 

Every woman wants her baby to be as healthy as possible and that is understandable. That is why natural ways to alleviate acid reflux during the pregnancy is important. While consuming plenty of fresh fruits is important some of them may increase your risk of acid reflux. Avoid those that contain large amounts of acid in large quantities. They include oranges, lemons, and grapefruit.

Do your best to eat six small meals each day so that you aren’t hungry. Your body will be able to digest these smaller meals easier than large ones. Consume large amounts of water during the day too so that you stay hydrated. Liquids definitely help the body to be able to digest foods easier. Avoid eating in the last hours before you go to bed at night or you may end up suffering throughout the night with acid reflux.

Elevate your head and shoulders when you sleep as well. This will help to keep the acid from going into the esophagus at night or when you rest during the day. There are special pillows for this or you can just stack two of them. You can also have someone elevate the head of your bed with boards or bricks for you. Adding several inches will definitely make a significant difference.

Try to lie on your left side too as this will help to get the acid reduced in your stomach. When you lie on your right side or your back it is going to increase. It may not always be comfortable during a pregnancy to lie on your left side but do your very best to get into that routine. It will certainly help you to avoid suffering from acid reflux.

Following such guidelines will help you offset acid reflux during pregnancy. This is a great time for a mom to be so keep those negative aspects of it away. Getting enough rest is important too because soon you will have a little one up all night. If you continue to suffer from acid reflux on a regular basis during your pregnancy make sure you share this information with your doctor. 

Drinking Water During Meals to Help Your Acid Reflux, Burning and GERD? Don't!

Did you know that the heartburn is actually caused by TOO LITTLE stomach acid, rather than too much acid as we're always told?

This lack of stomach acid prevents full digestion, particularly of undigested carbohydrates which is a great contributor to your burning heartburn and gas.

If that's true, then why do people insist that drinking a lot of water is helpful when they're eating? When it comes to acid reflux, drinking too much water can work against you.

Let's be clear, sipping some water when acid is in the esophagus can be helpful to flush out the acid and give us relief. And drinking enough water is a good things.

A better solution (no pun intended) is to try to prevent that acid from getting up there in the first place! And drinking water during a meal can make your acid reflux worse. Here's why:

You need acid in your stomach to digest food!

Think about it. What does water do? It dilutes things and makes them weaker. We use water to dilute all kinds of things. Water- based paint, cooking sauces, salad dressings and more.

So doesn't it make sense that if we add a lot of water to our stomach (which contains acid) when we eat, that our stomach acid will be diluted, weaker, and less effective too?

This leads to the incomplete digestion of food.

Undigested food stays in your stomach longer, creating gas, bloating and pressure which makes your acid reflux symptoms worse.

Remember, acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens too often or does not close tight enough. This sphincter is supposed to close to keep stomach acid in the stomach.

Drinking water with meals also over fills your stomach. Your overfilled and bloated stomach can cause pressure on the LES. When pressure forces it to open stomach contents can leak into the esophagus.

There seems to be a fixation on drinking water. We used to drink water when we were thirsty. Now there's a false worry about being "dehydrated" as people tote around their water bottles to get their 8 glasses a day.

Enough is enough.

If you're having painful heartburn, acid reflux problems and GERD, other than a sip or two, try NOT drinking water with your meal and let your stomach acid do its thing.

Give it a try, and I think you'll be well on your way to a healthier gut.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9232973

What Is the Finest Natural Remedy for Acid Reflux of the Many Available?

As prescription drugs can occasionally have unpleasant side effects, numerous people seek normal therapies for caustic effects. Furthermore, the vast majority of most prescription drugs is not meant for consumption over extended time periods. Thus, a regular cure for acidity comes into the equation.

General definition of normal treatments for stomach causticity

The basis of Herbal therapies for causticity is the knowledge that herbalists have of conventional medicine and conventional plants with medicinal properties. A few of these are universal food herbs. Though they are not detrimental on being used over an extended period how effective they are as regular course is yet to be established.

Those who've acidity should get themselves checked by a doctor regularly

If doctors have diagnosed that you have causticity, you must make it a point to get yourself checked by your doctor on a regular basis. You should do this even if you believe your symptoms to be under control. Moreover, you must inform your doctor on any botanical/ herbal therapies that you could be using. The importance of getting yourself checked by your doctor on a regular basis is since stomach acidity could cause damage to the esophagus and result in more grave conditions, among which is esophageal cancer.

If it so happens that you are using a Natural remedy for acid reflux, and you tend to have a hoarse voice once you wake up in the morning, build up a cough, or sense an urge to clear up the throat recurrently, these could be warning signs of silent caustic effect. This term refers to the acidity that has an effect on one's voice box & the vocal cords while not causing heartburn symptoms. Thus, even if you are on a Natural remedy for acid reflux that has kept your heartburn controlled, you must still make it a point to pay your doctor a visitor on a regular basis and report any latest or diverse symptoms.

Some of the accepted cures for this condition

Herbal therapies for caustic effect consist of Meadowsweet, chamomile, cancer bush, slippery elm, catnip, fennel, gentian root, Angelica root, ginger root and additional botanicals, which include aloe. History has it that the native peoples used to resort to Slippery elm for the treatment of diarrhea, stomach upset, heartburn, constipation, and additional digestive complaints. Ginger root and Fennel had also been the common remedies for the reprieve from indigestion. The contemporary herbalists have discovered that a mixture of numerous of herbs used in the treatment of indigestion previously could be successful normal cures for this condition.

The finest treatment is variations in one's lifestyle and eating practices

Though some could term them as usual "cures" for this condition for the long-standing respite from causticity, the best alternative is alterations in the way of life and eating practices.

A case in point is smoking that loosens up one's sphincter muscles that do not let stomach causticity from getting into the esophagus. Smoking also makes the saliva in one's mouth and throat dry, which neutralize a little of one's stomach acidity and gets the digestive process started. If you resort to herbal cures for this problem, while not stopping the consumption of tobacco products you could still be suffering from the condition and still have the possibility of contracting esophageal cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9510979